Refinishing Travertine Flooring

by Emily Beach

Travertine has been used in construction since the days of the Roman Empire.

Travertine tile serves as a slightly harder and less permeable alternative to traditional marble flooring. This natural stone material is derived from limestone, and comes in shades of pink, brown and yellow depending on where it was quarried. Over time, travertine floors may lose their luster and develop signs of wear. Restoring travertine to its original appearance requires stripping old finishes and grinding away dull, stained or worn surfaces to reveal the undamaged material hidden below.

Strip Existing Finishes

1

Sweep the floor to remove dirt and debris.

2

Cover baseboards and door jambs with painter's tape to protect these areas from damage while you work.

3

Apply a stone floor stripper to the travertine using a paint brush, roller or deck brush. Check the label before you begin to confirm that the material is designed for use with travertine.

4

Allow the stripper to remain on the floor for up to two hours, or as recommended in the manufacturers instructions.

5

Scrub the floor using a stiff scrub brush or push broom to remove the stripper and any existing sealers or finishes on your floor.

6

Use a mop and water or a wet-dry shop vacuum to remove all stripping products and floor finishes. Allow the floor to dry before proceeding.

Refinish the Floor

1

Sprinkle honing or polishing powder liberally across your travertine floor by hand. Honing powder will give your floor a matte finish, while polishing powder is designed to create a shinier look.

2

Spray the floor with water using a spray bottle until the powder transforms into a milky liquid substance.

3

Put on your safety glasses and sand your floor. Use a hand sander for small jobs, or rent a weighted floor machine with a natural hair pad for larger areas. Read the instructions on your honing or polishing powder package to determine what grit of sandpaper to use.

4

Continue sanding until the floor is smooth and free of stains and other signs of damage. Add more polishing or honing powder as needed to create the desired finish.

5

Clean the floor using a wet mop and shop vacuum until all powder, dust and debris have been removed.

6

Allow the floor to dry completely, then seal the travertine using a sealer designed for marble and travertine floors. Choose from various degrees of polish or select a duller, more natural look. Apply the sealer with a paint brush or roller and allow to dry before walking on the floor.

About the Author

Emily Beach works in the commercial construction industry in Maryland. She received her LEED accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008 and is in the process of working towards an Architectural Hardware Consultant certification from the Door and Hardware Institute. She received a bachelor's degree in economics and management from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.

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